Instrumental & Vocal Bursary
We are not getting any announcements for funding allocations from the DfE until July which is not very helpful for setting out budgets. This coupled with the latest data we have for the region:
“While swaths of this region are generally considered relatively affluent, it is important to acknowledge the presence of pockets of deprivation. These can be found in certain urban areas and, to some extent, within more isolated rural communities. Data from sources like the Indices Multiple Deprivation (IMD) highlights that while the region may not be as uniformly deprived as some areas, disparities exit.”
As a brief insight: Swindon saw an increase in open EHCPs from 2022 to 2573 in 2023, while in Gloucestershire, only 35% of EHCPs were provided within the statutory 20-week timeframe in 2023. This growing trend is further underscored by Wiltshire Council’s ongoing SEND Transformation Programme, which includes expanding special school places and resource base.
Important context when looking to deliver for young people in school settings is the well documented rising number of children with Educational, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). This indicates an increase prevalence, or understanding, of special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities among the young population, placing a greater demand on support services and SEN educational provision to be genuinely fit for purpose in supporting all young people reach reach their potential.
Pressure on the Subsidies budget is increasing. This coupled with the lack of announcement as to the level of funding from DfE has made us re-look at the support package:
- We are changing the name to reflect more accurately its purpose to: Tuition Bursary
- The Bursaries are aimed at those facing financial barriers as the overarching criteria – This is a hardship fund!
- Due to there being an increase in demand and budget limit, the Bursary will continue to support the following categories:
- Those C&YP in receipt of Pupils Premium/free school meals
- Those categorised by the Local Authority as SEND with financial hardship (Pupil Premium/free school meals)
- Look After Children (50% from the Hub and 50% from the Looked After Team in the LA)
- Lessons attracting Bursaries are:
- 15-minute individual lessons
- 20-minute individual lesson (NEW FOR A/Y 2025-26)
- 20-minute shared lessons
- 30-minute shared lessons
Associate tutors will demand their own fees, but the hub’s recommended range is from £30.40 to £41.50 per hour.
Bursary amount on all categories above is: £5.60 per lesson. For paired lessons, the lesson attracts the Bursar and not each individual pupil.
Associates can still state in the Portal their chosen cost for tuition ranging from £30.40 – £41.50 p/h. However, no matter what they charge the Bursary amount is fixed at £5.60 per lesson.
